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Abstract:

A floral sleeve having a body and an insert or extension attached thereto
is used to cover a pot. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion
for enclosing a floral grouping disposed within the pot.

Claims:

1. A method of covering a pot or floral grouping, comprising: opening a
floral sleeve to expose an interior space of a body thereof, the floral
sleeve comprising: a body having a flattened condition and having an
upper end, a closed lower end, and a sidewall comprising an outer
peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface, wherein the inner
peripheral surface surrounds an interior space when the floral sleeve is
in an opened condition, and wherein the body is tapered from the upper
end to the closed lower end thereof; and an insert or extension bondingly
attached to at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the
body of the floral sleeve, the insert or extension having a lower end and
an upper end, wherein at least a portion of the lower end of the insert
or extension is disposed below the upper end of the body of the sleeve
and substantially above the lower end of the body of the sleeve, the
insert or extension comprising a facing portion that is superposed upon
the portion of the inner peripheral surface of the body of the floral
sleeve wherein the insert or extension is bondingly attached along only a
portion of the facing portion and whereby a majority of the facing
portion is left unattached to the inner peripheral surface of the body of
the floral sleeve, and wherein the upper end of the body of the floral
sleeve is unattached to the insert or extension; and disposing a pot or
floral grouping into at least a portion of the interior space of the body
of the floral sleeve, wherein at least a portion of the insert or
extension is visible when the pot or floral grouping is disposed into the
floral sleeve, and wherein the floral sleeve has an appearance of being
constructed of at least two separate, unconnected materials.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the upper end of
the insert or extension extends above an upper end of the body of the
floral sleeve.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the floral sleeve further comprises a
skirt portion having an upper edge, and wherein at least a portion of the
skirt portion extends above an upper end of the pot after the pot is
disposed into the interior space of the body.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the floral sleeve has a slit or line of
perforations which extends vertically from a center point in the upper
edge of the skirt portion a distance downwardly into the body.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the upper edge of the skirt portion has
a non-linear pattern.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the upper edge of the skirt portion
extends above the upper end of the insert or extension.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the sleeve further comprises an upper
portion attached to at least one of the upper end of the body of the
floral sleeve and the upper edge of the skirt portion of the floral
sleeve.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve further comprises an upper
portion attached to the upper end of the body of the floral sleeve.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the insert or extension of the floral
sleeve is constructed of a material which is different from a material
used to construct the body of the floral sleeve.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the additional step of
securing the floral sleeve about the pot or floral grouping by disposing
a securing element about the floral sleeve after the floral sleeve has
been disposed about the pot, wherein the securing element is selected
from the group consisting of elastic bands, plastic bands, strings,
labels, tapes, ribbons, ties, wires, stribbons, rubber bands, barbs,
collars, staples, and clips, and combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the securing element is placed above
an upper end of the pot or floral grouping.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the securing element is placed below
an upper end of the pot or floral grouping.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the floral sleeve
comprises first and second panels connected to one another along at least
two edges.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the floral sleeve further comprises a
second insert or extension bondingly attached to at least a portion of at
least one of the inner peripheral surface of the body of the floral
sleeve and the first insert or extension, the second insert or extension
having a lower end and an upper end, wherein at least a portion of the
lower end of the second insert or extension is disposed below the upper
end of the body of the floral sleeve and substantially above the lower
end of the body of the floral sleeve, the second insert or extension
comprising a facing portion that is superposed upon the portion of at
least one of the inner peripheral surface of the body of the floral
sleeve and the first insert or extension wherein the second insert or
extension is bondingly attached along only a portion of the facing
portion and whereby a majority of the facing portion is left unattached,
and wherein the upper end of the body of the floral sleeve is unattached
to the second insert or extension.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper end of the second insert or
extension extends above the upper end of the first insert or extension.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the upper end of the first insert or
extension extends above the upper end of the second insert or extension.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body of the
floral sleeve is provided with a decorative pattern thereon.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the insert or
extension is provided with a decorative pattern thereon.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body of the
floral sleeve and at least a portion of the insert or extension are
provided with decorative patterns thereon, and wherein the decorative
pattern present on the body of the floral sleeve is different from the
decorative pattern present on the insert or extension.

[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,595,022; 5,615,535; 5,740,657; 5,816,023;
5,687,845; 5,810,169; 5,944,187 and 6,152,301, contain subject matter
which may be relevant to the present application. The disclosures of each
of the above-mentioned patents are hereby expressly incorporated herein
by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a floral sleeve constructed in
accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0005] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 1
taken along line 2-2 thereof.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 1 in an
opened condition and having a pot and floral grouping disposed therein.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the opened floral sleeve of FIG. 4.

[0009] FIG. 6 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0010] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0011] FIG. 8 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0012] FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0013] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0014] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 10
having a pot and floral grouping disposed therein.

[0015] FIG. 12 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0016] FIG. 13 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0017] FIG. 14 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the
floral sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s).

[0018] FIG. 15 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the floral
sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0019] FIG. 16 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the floral
sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0020] FIG. 17 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the floral
sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0021] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the floral sleeve of FIG. 17
taken along line 18-18 thereof.

[0022] FIG. 19 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the floral
sleeve of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0023] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a sleeve of the presently
disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) which is secured about a pot
via a securing element.

[0024] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a sleeve of the presently
disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) which is secured about a pot
via a securing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT(S)

[0025] The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s)
contemplates in a preferred version a preformed flexible floral sleeve
having a tubular shape for covering a flower pot having an upper end, a
lower end, and an outer peripheral surface. The preformed flexible floral
sleeve comprises a body which may have a skirt portion and which may have
a straight or non-linear upper edge. The preformed flexible floral sleeve
may further comprise a detachable upper portion which may be sized to
surround and encompass a floral grouping. The upper portion when present
may be detachable via a detaching element, such as but not by way of
limitation, perforations, tear strips, weakened areas, or zippers. The
upper portion may have one or more apertures for serving as a handle or
for enabling the preformed flexible floral sleeve to be supported from a
support device.

[0026] The preformed flexible floral sleeve (also referred to herein as a
floral sleeve, a sleeve or a sleeve cover) may form part of a plant
package when used in conjunction with a flower pot disposed within an
interior space of the body of the floral sleeve, the flower pot
preferably having a floral grouping disposed therein, and wherein the
flower pot is substantially surrounded and encompassed by the body and
the floral grouping is at least partially surrounded and encompassed and
may be entirely enclosed by the upper portion when it forms a part of the
floral sleeve.

[0027] Also, the body may comprise an adhesive or cohesive bonding
material disposed on an inner surface thereof for bondingly connecting
the body to a flower pot disposed therein. Alternately, a bonding
material may be disposed on an outer surface of the body for securing a
crimped portion having a plurality of crimped folds formed in the body.

[0028] These embodiments and others of the presently disclosed and claimed
inventive concept(s) are now described in more detail below. It will be
appreciated that the examples provided herein are not intended to limit
the scope and extent of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s) but are only intended to exemplify various embodiments of the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) contemplated herein.

[0029] Referring now to the drawings, shown in FIGS. 1-5 and designated
therein by the general reference numeral 10 is a floral sleeve, also
referred to herein simply as a sleeve. The floral sleeve 10 is initially
in a substantially flattened state (FIGS. 1-3) and is openable to an
opened condition (FIGS. 4-5) for containing and covering a flower pot.
The floral sleeve 10 has a body 12 having an upper end 14, a lower end
16, a first panel 18 having a first upper edge 20 and a first lower edge
22 and a second panel 24 having a second upper edge 26 and a second lower
edge 28 which is generally parallel and adjacent to the first lower edge
22. The body 12 has an interior space 30. The first panel 18 has an inner
surface 32 and an outer surface 34. The second panel 24 has an inner
surface 36 and an outer surface 38.

[0030] In the flattened condition, the first panel 18 and second panel 24
are positioned flatwise upon each other and are connected along a sealed
left side edge 40 and a sealed right side edge 42 both of which extend
from the upper end 14 to the lower end 16. The first panel 18 and second
panel 24 together comprise a sidewall 44 of the body 12. The body 12
further comprises a gusset 46 extending inwardly into the interior space
30 from the first lower edge 22 and the second lower edge 28. The gusset
46 has an inner surface 48 exposed to the interior space 30 and an outer
surface 50 exposed outwardly. The gusset 46 has an inner fold 52 which
extends from the left side edge 40 to the right side edge 42. The body 12
preferably has a tapered shape in the flattened condition, wherein the
body 12 is wider at the upper end 14 and narrower at the lower end 16,
such that in the opened condition the floral sleeve 10 preferably has a
frusto-conical shape (FIG. 4). As noted, the floral sleeve 10 preferably
has a frusto-conical shape when opened, but may be cylindrical or may
even have a rectangular shape when opened. This type of gusset has the
utilitarian advantage over other gussets used in sleeves in the floral
industry in that a decoration placed on the first panel 18 and/or on
second panel 24 remains substantially undistorted by folds when the
floral sleeve 10 (or other floral sleeves described herein) is used to
cover a pot 62, thereby providing a more pleasing decorative appearance
to the covered pot 62.

[0031] When the floral sleeve 10 is converted to an opened condition, the
gusset 46 is unfolded to form a bottom 54 in the body 12. When the pot 62
is disposed within the interior space 30 and a bottom 68 of a lower end
66 of the pot 62 is disposed upon the bottom 54 of the body 12, the
bottom 54 has three surface portions, including (1) a lower bottom
surface 56 covering the bottom 68 of the pot 62, (2) a left side bottom
surface 58 which extends upwardly from the lower bottom surface 56 and is
disposed between the sidewall 44 of the body 12 and an outer peripheral
surface 69 of the pot, and (3) a right side bottom surface 60 which
extends upwardly from the lower bottom surface 56 and is disposed between
the sidewall 44 of the body 12 and the outer peripheral surface 69 of the
pot. In the opened condition of the floral sleeve 10, the bottom 54 of
the body 12 is substantially completely concealed by a lower portion of
the sidewall 44 of the body 12.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10a. Floral sleeve 10a has a body 12a, an
upper end 14a, a lower end 16a, a skirt upper edge 20a, a sidewall 44a, a
gusset 46a, and an inner gusset fold 52a. The skirt upper edge 20a is
unsealed and can be opened for disposition of a pot. The floral sleeve
10a is essentially the same as floral sleeve 10 except the upper edge 20a
has a non-linear (angular) pattern forming a skirt portion 72a in the
body 12a. Generally, the skirt portion 72a is sized to extend a distance
above an upper end 64 of the pot 62 (FIG. 4) when the pot 62 is disposed
within the floral sleeve 10a when in the opened condition. Alternatively,
the skirt portion 72a may be sized so that when the pot 62 is disposed
therein, the upper edge 20a may be positioned partially or entirely below
the upper end 64 of the pot 62.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 7 another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10b. Floral sleeve 10b has a body 12b, an
upper end 14b, a lower end 16b, an upper edge 20b, a sidewall 44b, a
gusset 46b, and an inner gusset fold 52b. The floral sleeve 10b is
essentially the same as floral sleeve 10a except the upper edge 20b has a
skirt portion 72b which has an outwardly flared portion 73b extending
beyond the body 12b. The skirt portion 72b is preferably sized to extend
a distance above the upper end 64 of the pot 62 when the pot 62 is
disposed within the floral sleeve 10b when in the opened condition but
may alternatively be sized to be below the upper end 64 of the pot 62.
The skirt upper edge 20b, and the outwardly flared portion 73b of the
skirt portion 72b extending beyond the body 12b are unsealed.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 8, a preferred floral sleeve embodiment of in
the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10c. Floral sleeve 10c has a body 12c, a
skirt portion 72c in the body 12c, an upper end 14c, a lower end 16c, a
skirt upper edge 20c, a sidewall 44c, a gusset 46c, and an inner gusset
fold 52c. The floral sleeve 10c is essentially similar to floral sleeve
10a except the floral sleeve 10c further comprises a pair of upper
support elements 74c preferably each having an aperture 76c and which are
each detachable via a detaching element 78c. There is a gap or notch 75c
between the upper support elements 74c which increases the ease with
which the sleeve 10c can be opened and the pot 62 disposed therein by
reducing excess material which could interfere with deposition of the pot
62 into the sleeve 10c. The apertures 76c serve to adapt each upper
support element 74c to support the entire floral sleeve 10c from a
support assembly such as a wicket, hanger, staple, pin, clip, hook, or
rod, for example. For example, a plurality of sleeves 10c may be
supported on a portable banding device, such as the banding device shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,741, issued Apr. 13, 2004, entitled "METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT", the
specification of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in
its entirety, which can be used manually or automatically to apply one of
such sleeves 10c about a potted plant. As the sleeve 10c is removed, the
upper support elements 74c remain behind on the portable banding device.
In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of floral sleeves 10c may be
provided in a pad, with the upper support element 74c of adjacent floral
sleeves 10c connected together by an adhesive or cohesive bonding
material, a staple, clip, or pin in a manner well known in the art.
Preferably, the body 12c and skirt portion 72c of the floral sleeve 10c
are detached from the upper support element 74c before the sleeve 10c is
placed about the pot 62.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 9, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10d. Floral sleeve 10d has a body 12d, a
skirt portion 72d in the body 12d, an upper end 14d, a lower end 16d, a
sidewall 44d, a skirt upper edge 20d, a gusset 46d, and an inner gusset
fold 52d. The floral sleeve 10d is essentially similar to floral sleeve
10c in that the floral sleeve 10d comprises upper support elements 74d
each preferably having at least one aperture 76d and which is detachable
via a detaching element 78d. There is a gap or notch 75d between the
upper support elements 74d. The apertures 76 serve to adapt each upper
support element 74d to support the entire floral sleeve 10d from a
support assembly as defined above. The skirt portion 72d has outwardly
flared portions 73d which preferably are unsealed, as is the remainder of
the upper edge 20d. In an alternative embodiment as described above, a
plurality of floral sleeves 10d may be provided in a pad, with the upper
support elements 74d of adjacent floral sleeves 10d connected together by
an adhesive or cohesive bonding material or other attaching device in a
manner well known in the art. Preferably, the body 12d and skirt portion
72d of the floral sleeve 10d are detached from the upper portion 74d
before the sleeve 10d is placed about the pot 62.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, another floral sleeve embodied in
the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10e. Floral sleeve 10e has a body 12e, a
skirt portion 72e in the body 12e, an upper end 14e, a lower end 16e, a
sidewall 44e in the body 12e, a gusset 46e, and an inner gusset fold 52e.
The floral sleeve 10e further comprises an upper portion 70e and a
support element 74e having apertures 76e and an upper edge 77e which is
detachable from the upper portion 70e via a detaching element 78e. The
apertures 76e are optional and serve to adapt the upper portion 70e to
support the entire floral sleeve 10e from a support assembly as defined
elsewhere herein. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of floral
sleeves 10e may be provided in a pad, with the upper portions 70e of
adjacent floral sleeves 10e connected together by an adhesive or cohesive
bonding material or other connecting device in a manner well known in the
art.

[0037] The upper portion 70e is generally sized to surround and enclose a
floral grouping 82 having a lower portion 84 and an upper portion 86
comprising blooms and/or foliage, which is disposed within the pot 62
when the pot 62 and floral grouping 82 therein is disposed within the
opened floral sleeve 10e. The upper portion 70e can be detached from the
body 12e via a detaching element 80e at some time after the floral sleeve
10e has been disposed about the pot 62 and floral grouping 82, for
example after the pot 62 and floral grouping 82 therein have been shipped
to a vendor, but may be detached at any time, either before or after the
pot 62 and floral grouping 82 have been placed within the floral sleeve
10e. When the upper portion 70e is detached, the skirt portion 72e
remains with the body 12e leaving a covering such as sleeve 10a disposed
about the pot 62. The detaching element 80e leaves a skirt upper edge 20e
on the skirt portion 72e in the body 12e. The skirt portion 72e
preferably is sized to extend above the upper end 64 of the pot 62 when
disposed within the floral sleeve 10d although the skirt upper edge 20d
may be below the upper end 64 of the pot 62.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 12, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10f. Floral sleeve 10f has a body 12f, a
skirt portion 72f, an upper end 14f, a lower end 16f, a sidewall 44f, a
gusset 46f, and an inner gusset fold 52f. The floral sleeve 10f is
similar to floral sleeve 10e in that the floral sleeve 10f comprises an
upper portion 70f having apertures 76f and which is detachable from the
skirt portion 72f via a detaching element 80f. The apertures 76f are
optional and serve to adapt the upper portion 70f to support the entire
floral sleeve 10f from a support assembly such as described elsewhere
herein. Sleeve 10f differs from sleeve 10e primarily in that sleeve 10f
does not have a separate support element which is detachable from upper
portion 70f. The detaching element 80f has an angular pattern such that
when the upper portion 70f is detached from the body 12f, the skirt
portion 72f is left on the body 12f. The skirt portion 72f preferably is
sized to extend above the upper end 64 of the pot 62 when disposed within
the floral sleeve 10f.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 13, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10g. Floral sleeve 10g has a body 12g having
a skirt portion 72g, an upper end 14g, a lower end 16g, a skirt upper
edge 20g, a sidewall 44g, a gusset 46g, and an inner gusset fold 52g. The
floral sleeve 10g is similar to floral sleeve 10c in that the floral
sleeve 10g comprises upper support elements 74g and preferably having
apertures 76g and which are detachable via detaching elements 78g. There
is a gap or notch 75g between upper support elements 74g. The apertures
76g are optional and serve to adapt the upper support elements 74g to
support the entire floral sleeve 10g from a support assembly as described
elsewhere herein. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of floral
sleeves 10g may be provided in a pad, as described elsewhere herein.

[0040] The detaching element 78g and skirt upper edge 20g differ from
detaching element 78c and upper skirt edge 20c of floral sleeve 10c in
that detaching element 78g and upper skirt edge 20g have a curved
non-linear pattern rather than an angular non-linear pattern, such that
when the upper support elements 74g are detached from the body 12g, the
skirt portion 72g is left with the curved upper edge 20g. The skirt
portion 72g preferably is sized to extend above the upper end 64 of the
pot 62 when disposed within the floral sleeve 10g but may be sized to be
below the upper end 64 of the pot 62 in an alternate embodiment.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 14, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10h. Floral sleeve 10h has a body 12h, an
upper end 14h, a lower end 16h, a sidewall 44h, a gusset 46h, and an
inner gusset fold 52h. The floral sleeve 10h is essentially similar to
floral sleeve 10f in that the floral sleeve 10h comprises an upper
portion 70h having apertures 76h and which is detachable from a skirt
portion 72h via a detaching element 80h. The apertures 76h are optional
and serve to adapt the upper portion 70h to support the entire floral
sleeve 10h from a support assembly such as described elsewhere herein.

[0042] The upper portion 70h preferably is sized to surround and enclose
the floral grouping 82 as described for sleeve 10f. The upper portion 70h
is generally detached from the body 12h via the detaching element 80h
preferably at some time after the floral sleeve 10h has been disposed
about the pot 62 and floral grouping 82, but may be detached at any time,
either before or after the pot 62 and floral grouping 82 are placed
within the floral sleeve 10h.

[0043] The detaching element 80h differs from detaching element 80f of
floral sleeve 10f in that detaching element 80h has an curved pattern
rather than an angular pattern, such that when the upper portion 70h is
detached from the body 12h, the skirt portion 72h is left extending from
the body 12h, in a manner similar to other sleeves described herein.

[0044] The upper edges 20a-20d and 20g of sleeves 10a-10d and 10g,
respectively, and the detaching elements 80e-80f and 80h of sleeves 10e,
10f and 10h, respectively, are shown as having angular non-linear
patterns or curved non-linear patterns. The angular and curved patterns
are but two non-linear patterns which may be employed in the construction
of the floral sleeves contemplated herein. Other configurations will be
readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, for example,
those shown in, but not limited to, FIGS. 2A-2F of U.S. Pat. No.
5,829,225, the specification of which is hereby expressly incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 15, another floral sleeve embodied in the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10i which is similar to sleeve 10c,
comprising a body 12i having a sidewall 44i, a skirt portion 72i in the
body 12i, the skirt portion 72i having a skirt upper edge 20i and support
elements 74i. Sleeve 10i further comprises a slit 90i (which may also
comprise perforations or may be entirely severed) which extends from a
center point 21i in skirt upper edge 20i and extends a distance
downwardly into body 12i for enabling the skirt portion 72i to extend
further outwardly when the pot 62 is disposed therein. Any of the sleeves
described herein may comprise a slit such as slit 90i positioned therein.

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 16, another floral sleeve embodiment of the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10j. Floral sleeve 10j has a lower portion
92j and an upper portion 70j. The lower portion 92j has a body 12j and a
lower end 16j, a sidewall 44j in the body 12j, a skirt portion 72j in the
body 12j, and a detaching element 80j in the lower portion 92j. The upper
portion 70j is attached to the lower portion 92j along a horizontal seal
94j extending across sleeve 10j. Between the horizontal seal 94j and the
detaching element 80j is a medial portion 96j which is removed along with
the upper portion 70j when the upper portion 70j is detached.

[0047] The upper portion 70j and the lower portion 92j are constructed of
separate webs of material connected along the horizontal seal 94j.
Preferably, the lower portion 92j is constructed of a decorative material
and the upper portion 70j is constructed of a clear or transparent
material. Sleeve 10j is similar to sleeve 10e in that in sleeve 10j, the
upper portion 70j further comprises a support element 74j preferably
having apertures 76j, an upper edge 77j and is detachable via a detaching
element 78j in a manner similar to sleeve 10e. In an alternative
embodiment, the sleeve 10j may be constructed without a support element
74j in a manner similar to sleeve 10f. Lower portion 92j further
comprises in the body 12j a gusset 46j and an inner gusset fold 52j. The
apertures 76j serve to support the sleeve 10j in a manner as described
elsewhere herein before, and a plurality of sleeves 10j may be connected
into a pad as described elsewhere herein before. Sleeve 10j is further
similar to sleeves 10e and 10f in that the upper portion 70j is
preferably sized to surround and enclose the floral grouping 82 when
disposed within the opened floral sleeve 10j, as described elsewhere
herein.

[0048] When the upper portion 70j and the medial portion 96j are removed,
the skirt portion 72j and body 12j provide a covering such as sleeve 10a
disposed about the pot 62. In an alternative version, no skirt portion is
left in the body when an upper portion is removed, and may provide a
covering similar to sleeve 10, or may provide a covering having an upper
edge which is positioned below the upper end 64 of the pot 62 when the
pot 62 is disposed therein.

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, another floral sleeve embodied in
the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is designated
therein by reference numeral 10k. Floral sleeve 10k is similar to sleeve
10a for example, in that it comprises a body 12k, and upper end 14k, a
lower end 16k, a sidewall 44k, a gusset 46k with an inner fold 52k, and a
skirt portion 72k in the body 12k. The sleeve 10k further comprises a
skirt insert 98k which extends beyond an upper edge 20k of the skirt
portion 72k. The sleeve 10k comprises a pair of support elements 74k
which extend from the skirt insert 98k and which are detachable thereon
via detaching, elements 78K. Support elements 74k preferably comprise
apertures 76k for supporting the sleeve 10k from a support assembly. The
skirt insert 98k is preferably attached or laminated via a skirt seal
100k to portions of an inner surface 32k of a first panel 18k and inner
surface 36k of a second panel 24k of the sleeve 10k (FIG. 18).
Preferably, the skirt insert 98k is constructed of a material which is
different from the remainder of the material used to construct the body
12k and skirt portion 72k, or is a material which has a different color
or pattern but which is otherwise similar to the material used to
construct the body 12k and the skirt portion 72k.

[0050] For example, the body 12k, skirt 72k, and skirt insert 98k may be
constructed of metallized film, polymer film, foil, spun bonded, or melt
blown material, lace material, fabric, or cellophane, any of which may
have different colors, patterns or textures. For example, the body 12k
and skirt portion 72k may be constructed of a metallized polymer film
while the skirt insert 98k is constructed of a fabric, lace material, or
spun bonded material. Other combinations will readily come to the mind of
the person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0051] Further, the skirt insert 98k may be attached to only one of the
first panel 18k or the second panel 24k of the sleeve 10k rather than to
both the first panel 18k and second panel 24k as shown in FIG. 18.
Further, any of the sleeves described herein may be constructed to have a
skirt insert such as skirt insert 98k. For example, sleeve 10 may be
constructed to have a skirt insert such as skirt insert 98k which is
attached near the upper end 14 of the body 12 of sleeve 10. Further, any
of the sleeves described herein may have more than one skirt insert such
as a shown in FIG. 19 wherein a floral sleeve 10m comprises a body 12m, a
skirt portion 72m, a first skirt insert 98m and a second skirt insert
102m. Any of the sleeves described herein may have two or more skirt
inserts as shown for sleeve 10m, and, each of the skirt inserts may each
be constructed of different materials or materials having different
colors or patterns.

[0052] It will also be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art
that although the location of the skirt seal 100k of the skirt insert 98k
is shown as being positioned near the upper end 14k, the skirt seal 100k
may in fact be positioned at any location below the upper end 14k at any
position on the inner surface 32k and inner surface 36k of the sleeve 10k
(as shown in phantom in FIG. 18). Further, the skirt insert 98k may be
attached after the body 12k and skirt portion 72k of sleeve 10k have been
formed, or before the material has been formed into the body 12k and
skirt portion 72k by the sleeve forming apparatus. In other words, the
separate materials used to construct the body 12k and the skirt insert
98k may be laminated together while the webs of material are in a
flattened, unformed condition. Where used herein, the term "skirt insert"
may also be used interchangeably with the term "skirt extension" in that
the "skirt insert" may not actually have been "inserted" into the sleeve
but may have been "pre-attached" by lamination as described above.

[0054] As noted above, any of the sleeves described herein may comprise a
skirt insert. In those sleeve embodiments having both a skirt insert and
an upper portion sized to surround and enclose a floral grouping, and/or
for supporting the sleeve from a support assembly or as an attachment
within a pad, the upper portion may be attached to the body, to the skirt
portion, or to the skirt insert of the sleeve.

[0055] Any of the sleeves described herein may be banded about a potted
plant as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG. 20 shows a sleeve 10n having a
body 12n and a skirt portion 72n positioned about the pot 62 and floral
grouping 82, the sleeve 10n secured about the pot 62 via a securing
element 104n, wherein the securing element 104n is positioned below the
upper end 64 of the pot 62. FIG. 21 shows a sleeve 10p having a body 12p
and a skirt portion 72p positioned about the pot 62 and floral grouping
82 and secured thereto via a securing element 104p, wherein the securing
element 104p is positioned above the upper end 64 of the pot 62. More
than one securing element 104n or 104p can be used. The securing elements
104n and 104p preferably are banding elements such as, elastic bands,
plastic bands, strings, ribbons, ties, tapes, labels, wires, collars,
stribbons, rubber bands, but may also be adhesive or cohesive materials,
barbs on the pot 62, pins, clips, springs, staples, magnets, or any other
binding or securing materials known in the art.

[0056] Any of the sleeves described herein in any embodiments can be used
to contain floral groupings or plants with or without pots, and with or
without a growing medium or support medium such as floral foam. When used
with a growing medium, they may be used to cultivate a botanical item.
The sleeves described herein may be used as flexible vases to contain
floral groupings and preferably are waterproof or leak resistant. The
sleeves described herein may be used as covers for jardinieres, for pots
or for vases, or any type of floral grouping or floral container. Any of
the sleeves described herein may be equipped with reservoirs, pouches or
packets for containing moisture, fertilizers, growing media, or other
items useful or beneficial for growth or presentation of floral grouping
or other botanical items. The reservoirs, pouches or packets may be
attached to an inner portion of the sleeve.

[0057] Any of the sleeves described herein can be constructed using
multiple webs of material which are laminated or attached together to
achieve contrasting effects in the completed sleeve, produced for example
by using webs of materials having different patterns, colors, or
textures.

[0058] For example, a 20''×20'' sheet of metallized film may be used
in conjunction with a 24''×24'' sheet of spun bonded material; or,
a 20''×20'' sheet of metallized material may be used with a
24''×24'' sheet of lace material and with a 28''×28'' sheet
of spun bonded material.

[0059] Further, by laminating a narrower web and a wider web, centering
the narrower web on the wider web. Any number of consecutive webs can be
used in the process. These webs need not be laminated but could be left
un-laminated and held in place only by the seal on the sleeve. However,
for ease of processing, it may be preferable in some instances and with
some equipment to laminate either by overall adhesively laminating or
spot laminating or strip laminating the material. It may be preferable to
leave certain portions of the material un-laminated so as to provide the
appearance of separate sheets.

[0060] Using the lamination technique or using a sleeve made without
lamination but using multiple materials, it is not necessary to use an
entire standard web. For example, it is possible to take a 20'' web as
the base web and to laminate two additional webs of 3'' each, for
example, overlapping 1'' of each of the two additional 3'' strips over
the base web and laminating them at that point or simply feeding them
into the machine at that point and forming them. Or, entirely overlapping
webs could be used, that is, one 20'' web is centered on a 24'' web. It
could be laminated or un-laminated as it passes through the sleeve
forming machine.

[0061] Any of the flexible floral sleeves contemplated herein may also be
equipped with drainage elements (e.g., one or more holes) in the bodies
10-10h thereof or ventilation holes (not shown) in the bodies 10-10p or
upper portions 70e, 74f or 74h, for example, or can be made from
permeable or impermeable materials.

[0062] The materials from which the flexible floral sleeves 10-10p are
constructed preferably have a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mil to
about 30 mil. Often, the thicknesses of the floral sleeves 10-10p are in
a range from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mil or preferably, in a range from
about 1.0 mil to about 5 mil. Preferably, the floral sleeves 10-10p are
constructed from a material which is flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, or any
combination thereof. The floral sleeves 10-10p may be constructed of a
single layer of material or a plurality of layers of the same or
different types of materials. Any thickness of the material may be
utilized as long as the material functions in accordance with the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as described herein.
The layers of material comprising the flexible floral sleeves may be
connected together or laminated or may be separate layers. Such materials
used to construct the floral sleeves are described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,111,637, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Any thickness of material may be utilized in accordance with the
presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) as long as the
floral sleeves 10-10p may be formed as described herein, and as long as
the floral sleeves 10-10p may contain at least a portion of a flower pot,
potted plant, growing medium or floral grouping, as described herein.
Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable as
one of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provide additional
protection for the item, such as the floral grouping, contained therein.

[0063] As noted above, the floral sleeves 10-10p are constructed from any
suitable material that is capable of being formed into a floral sleeve as
contemplated herein and wrapped about a flower pot and a floral grouping
disposed therein. Preferably, the material comprises treated or untreated
paper, metal foil, polymeric film, non-polymeric film, wove, or nonwoven
fabric, synthetic or natural fabric, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, or
laminations or combinations thereof.

[0064] The term "polymeric film" when used herein means a film made of a
synthetic polymer such as a polypropylene or a naturally occurring
polymer such as cellophane. A polymeric film is relatively strong and not
as subject to tearing (substantially non-tearable), as might be the case
with paper or foil.

[0065] In one embodiment, the floral sleeves 10-10p may be constructed
from sheets comprising two polypropylene films. The material comprising
the flexible floral sleeves 10-10p may be connected together or laminated
or may be separate layers. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible
floral sleeves 10-10p may be constructed from only one sheet of the
polypropylene film.

[0066] The materials comprising the floral sleeves 10-10p may vary in
color and as described herein consists of designs or decorative patterns
which are printed, etched, and/or embossed thereon using inks or other
printing materials. An example of an ink which may be applied to the
surface of the material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,706, which is
hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] In addition, the material may have various colorings, coatings,
flocking and/or metallic finishes, or other decorative surface
ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously or may be
characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,
transparent, iridescent, neon, or the like, qualities. The material may
further comprise, or have applied thereto, one or more scents. Each of
the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination and may
be applied to the upper and/or lower surface of the material comprising
the floral sleeves 10-10p. Moreover, portions of the material used in
constructing the floral sleeves 10-10p may vary in the combination of
such characteristics. The material utilized for the floral sleeves 10-10p
may be opaque, translucent, transparent, or partially clear or tinted
transparent.

[0068] The term "floral grouping" as used herein means cut fresh flowers,
artificial flowers, a single flower or other fresh and/or artificial
plants or other floral materials and may include other secondary plants
and/or ornamentation or artificial or natural materials which add to the
aesthetics of the overall floral grouping. The floral grouping comprises
a bloom or foliage portion and a stem portion. Further, the floral
grouping may comprise a growing potted plant having a root portion (not
shown) as well. However, it will be appreciated that the floral grouping
may consist of only a single bloom or only foliage, or a botanical item
(not shown), or a propagule (not shown). The term "floral grouping" may
be used interchangeably herein with both the terms "floral arrangement"
and "potted plant". The term "floral grouping" may also be used
interchangeably herein with the terms "botanical item" and/or
"propagule".

[0069] The term "growing medium" when used herein means any liquid, solid
or gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation of
propagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,
humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, foam, and including the
nutrients, fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by
the plants or propagules for growth.

[0070] The term "botanical item" when used herein means a natural or
artificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination. The
term "botanical item" also means any portion or portions of natural or
artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems, leaves, flowers,
blossoms, buds, blooms, cones, or roots, taken singly or in combination,
or in groupings of such portions such as bouquet of floral grouping. The
term "propagule" when used herein means any structure capable of being
propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds, shoots,
stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots, or spores.

[0071] In accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive
concept(s) a bonding material may optionally be disposed on a portion of
any of the floral sleeves 10-10p described herein to attach each floral
sleeve 10-10p to a flower pot 62 having a floral grouping 82 therein when
such a flower pot 62 is disposed within the floral sleeve 10-10p or to
assist in closing or sealing the upper portion 70e, 70f or 70h of the
floral sleeve 10e, 10f or 10h or in adhering the floral sleeve 10-10p to
the flower pot 62 after the flower pot 62 has been disposed therein.
Examples of how a bonding material may be disposed on the floral sleeve
10-10p are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,809 and in U.S. Pat. No.
5,625,979, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.

[0072] The term "detaching element" 78c, 78d, 78e, 78g, 80e, 80f or 80h,
for example, when used generally herein, means any element or device such
as, but not limited to, perforations, tear strips, zippers, and any other
devices or elements of this nature known in the art, or any combination
thereof, which enable the tearing away or detachment of one object from
another. Therefore, while perforations are shown and described in detail
herein, it will be understood that tear strips, zippers, or any other
"detaching element" known in the art, or any combination thereof, could
be substituted therefore and/or used therewith.

[0073] The upper portions 70e, 70f, 70h and 70j of the floral sleeves 10e,
10f, 10h and 10j, respectively may also have an additional vertical
detaching element comprising a plurality of vertical perforations (not
shown) for facilitating removal of the upper portion 70e, 70f, 70h and
70j and which are disposed more or less vertically therein.

[0074] It will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that
equipment and devices for forming flexible floral sleeves are
commercially available, and are well known to a person of ordinary skill
in the art. Therefore, further detailed discussion of the construction of
the sleeves described herein is not deemed necessary.

[0075] However, briefly, the flexible floral sleeves 10-10p described
herein may be formed by intermittently advancing, one or two webs
preformed in the form of a tube, or a single web folded double, indenting
the lower end to form a folded pouch portion for forming the gusset, and
sealing the longitudinal sides of the two facing panels and the sides of
the gussets, then cutting the floral sleeve 10-10p thus formed from the
webs or web. Machines which can form floral sleeves 10-10p from such
single webs or tubes are well within the knowledge of one of ordinary
skill in the art.

[0076] The term "flower pot" or "pot" 62 as used herein refers to any type
of container used for holding a floral grouping or plant, including
vases. Examples of pots, used in accordance with the presently disclosed
and claimed inventive concept(s) include, but are not limited to, clay
pots, foam pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, pots made from natural and/or
synthetic fibers, and/or any combination thereof. The flower pot 62 is
adapted to receive a floral grouping 82 in the retaining space thereof.
The floral grouping 82 may be disposed within the flower pot 62 along
with a suitable growing medium described elsewhere herein, or other
retaining medium, such as floral foam. It will also be understood that a
floral grouping, botanical item or propagule and any appropriate growing
medium or other retaining medium, may be disposed in the floral sleeve
10-10p without the flower pot 62 for displaying, transporting or
cultivating the item disposed within the floral sleeve 10-10p.

[0077] Preferably the floral sleeve 10-10p is sized to contain and conform
to one of a variety of standard sizes of pots known to those of ordinary
skill in the art, such as 31/2 inch, 4 inch, 41/2 inch, 5 inch, 51/2
inch, 6 inch, 61/2 inch, 7 inch, 71/2 inch, 8 inch and 81/2 inch pots or
pots that are larger than, smaller than, or intermediate between such pot
sizes.

[0078] Although not shown herein, any of the sleeves 10-10p described
herein may be used as a container for a growing medium and a floral
grouping 82 wherein the floral grouping 82 is disposed within the growing
medium without using a pot 62. In a preferred version, at least a portion
of the sleeve 10-10p is constructed of a material resistant or
impermeable to leakage, while the detachable upper portion, if present,
is preferably constructed of a thinner transparent material.

[0079] Any of the floral sleeves described or contemplated herein, such as
floral sleeves 10-10p may be secured about the pot 62 by a securing
element as described above or by forming a crimped portion which is held
in a crimped shape by an adhesive or cohesive bonding material. The
securing element or crimped portion could be positioned either above or
below the upper end 64 of the pot 62 when the pot 62 is disposed within
the floral sleeve 10-10p.

[0080] It should be further noted that various features of the versions of
the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) such as closure
bonding areas, support apertures, handles or handle apertures, additional
perforations, drainage holes, ventilation holes, combinations of material
may be used alone or in combination as elements of any of the embodiments
described above herein.

[0081] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the
various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the
steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed and
claimed inventive concept(s) as defined in the following claims.

Patent applications by Donald E. Weder, Highland, IL US

Patent applications by Joseph G. Straeter, Bradenton, FL US

Patent applications by Michael R. Klemme, Maryville, IL US

Patent applications by Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter, not individually but solely as Trustees of The Family

Patent applications in class Method of using a plant receptacle

Patent applications in all subclasses Method of using a plant receptacle